Trimming machine for clay blocks



Oct. 26 ,1926. v

. R. P. HERROLD ET AL TRIMMING MACHINE FOR CLAY BLOCKS Filed June 14. 1924 7 Sheets-She, 1

Oct. 26 1926;

R. P. HERROLD ET AL.

TRIMMING MACHINE FOR CLAY BLOCKS 7 Sheet s-Sheet 2 Filed June 14, 1924 BY W a H ATTORNEY Oct. 26 1926. f

-- R. P. HERROLD ET m.

TRIMMING MACHINE FOR CLAY BLOCKS Filed June 14. 1924 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 M NN R. P. HERROLD ET AL TRIMMING MACHINE FOR CLAY BLOCKS Filed June 14. 1924 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 BIS-8.8.8-

INVENTOR TTORNEY 0a. 26 ;192e. 1,604,411 R. P. HERROLD ET AL TRIMMING MACHINE FOR CLAY BLOCKS v .M Filed June 14, 1924 7 Shtsl-Sheetfi fius r u P62770010 33 ATTORNEY I Oct. 26 1926.

. 4 1,604,411 R. P. HERROLD ET AL TRIMMING MACHINE FOR CLAY BLOCKS 5 Filed June 14. 1924 '7 Sh'ee1 ',s-Sheet v INVENTOR 790/ 4: 13% /Vaoaw:4o fiumgu Easy/ram Patented Oct. 26, 1926.

RUSSELL P. HERB-OLD AND 'IHQMAS V.

PATENT @FHQE.

izooannen, or ZANESVILLE, OHIO.

TRIMMIN'G MACHINE IEOR CLAY BLOCKS.

Application filed .Tune 14,

This invention relates to improvements in trimming machines for clay blocks.

Clay blocks, such as green tile, When delivered b 7 a press from themold have roughene corners or mold seams formed at the junction of the top surface With the side and end edges. These clay or green tile blocks have heretofore been fettled or smoothed by hand with sand paper as the smoothing or abrasive material. This has been a slow and tedious process and it has been found necessary to renew the sand paper very frequently.

It is a .great desideratum to produce a practical machine which \vill remove these rough corners With speed and accuracy and it is one of the objects of this invention to produce a machine Which Will effectively and positively bevel the corners of such blocks With great speed andaccuracy, thus removing these roughened edges or mold seams.

It is not economically practical in a ma chine for the purpose specified, to use sand paper or even steel cutters because the poor Wearing qualities of such materials make it necessary to stop the press too frequently in order to renew or sharpen the same. We have discovered that by the use of cutters composed of carborundum, the trimmingof the clay blocks by machine may be econonr ically accomplished and a material for the cutter is provided that is hard, durable, rel.- atively inexpensive and which 'need not be frequently renewed or sharpened.

Another object of this invention is the production of a machine having means for engaging and positively moving blocks of clay, such as green tile, and hevelling the same by the use of such carborundum cutters during such positive movement.

, Another object of this invention is to produce a machine having means for moving such tiles in a rectangular path and cutting or bevelling all the corners during such rectangular movement. This rectangular movement of the tile is preferably accomplished by engagement of the edges of the same and the positive movement thereof first in a path parallel to or in the same direction as the delivery movement by the press, and thence in a path at right angles to said first mentioned movement, means he in provided for bevelling or cutting the side edges simultaneously with. the first of 1924.. Serial No. 719,993.

said movements and for bevelling or cutting the end edges simultaneously With the second of such movements of the tile.

Another object of this invention to provide a machine for the purpose specified with means, preferably operating in synchronization with a tile press, for engaging at their end edges and positively moving a series of tiles immediately upon delivery thereof by the carrier frame of the press and cutting or bevelling twoparallel corners during such positive, synchronized movement, and'preferably providing means also synchronized with the press mechanism for engaging the side edges and positively moving the blocks at right angles to the initial movement and cutting or bevelling the end edges during such positive, synchronized movement. 7

Another object of this invention is to minimize the spoilage of tiles by the utilization of cutting elements in pairs, one member of each pair being adapted to take off an initial cut or portion ofthe ultimate amount of clay to be removed and the other member of the pair being a follow-up cutter adapted to take off the finishing or ultin'iate cut.

Another object of the invention is the provision, in combination with the positive engaging and moving means above specified, of a conveyor bolt, the movement of Which is intermittent and synchronized with the movement of the mechanism for the movement of the tile at right angles as hereinabove mentioned and with the movement of the press.

Another object of this invention is to pro vide mechanism for the movement of the tile \vhiclrmay be operated from the press and which preferably may be connected up to the cam of the press.

Still another object.- of our invention is to provide in a machine of the character specitied effective means for guiding the tile blocks during the trimming thereof and preferably comprising series of guide bars or dividing strips which form grooves or channels through which the blocks are positively moved by engaging lingers into engagement with the cutters, and We preferably arrange springs in each groove at one side of a guide bar to a ign the blocks with out injury thereto,

fit)

Another object of this invention is the provision, in a machine of the type specified, of means for reciprocating the engaging lingers to positively move the tile blocks into engagement with the cutters, preferably combined with means for automatically lowering fingers into engagement with the edges of the tile blocks upon movementof such fingers in one direction and for automatically raising such fingers upon movement thereot in the opposite direction.

Still another object of our invention is to produce a tool-holder tor cutters which will enable the adjustment of the carborundum cutters in relation to the work and preferably will provide means for holding two pairs of cutters, one pair on each side of guide bars or dividing strips and enabling independent adjustment of each pair.

With these and other objects in view, the invention comprises the combination of members and arrangement of parts so combined as to co-act and cooperat with each other in the performance of the functions and the accomplishment of the results herein contemplated, and comprises in one of its adaptations the species or preferred form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is aplan View 01 a machine embodying our invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow;

Figs. 1 and 5 are similar sections on the line l-l of Fig. 1 showing two positions or" the engaging fingers;

F 6 is an enlarged vertical section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7-? of 6 looking in the direction of the arrow;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view of the cutting table with the tile-moving mechanism omitted;

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 99 o'ly Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged plan view of preferred form of tool-holder used by us;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged view in side elevation of the said holder;

Fig. 12 is a section on the line 1212 0 Fig. 10 looking in the direction of the row; i

Fig. 13 is a bottom view of our said toolholder;

Fig. 141 is a view in perspective showing the parts for one pair or". cutters disn'iounted and separated; and

Fig. 15 i a section on the line 15-15 of Fig' 3 looking in the direction of. the arrow.

Referring now to these drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of our invention, 1 indicates a trimming bed for clay blocks which may be provided on any suitable flat surface and in the preferred embodiment shown is formed on the 111- alllc top plate of a steam table 2 heated by steam boxes 3-3 through which steam is pass d by pipes t-d from any suitable source of supply not shown.

Our block-trinnning machine may be adapted to be used in combination with any form of block-forming device, and, as shown the steam table 2 is supported by legs 2 in a position adjacent to a tile-press 5 of a conventional power type. In this embodiment,

the upper surface or trimming bed of the table is, as shown, flu h with the bed 5 ot the said tile-press 5 which has press mechanism including a pressing-plunger (S, claymold 7 and carrier-slide 8, and the press mechanism also includes a cam 9 on a shalt 10, rotated from any suitable source of power not shown. The press 5 operates in the usual way to press within the molds 7 charges 7 of clay sutlicient when compressed to produce a green tile T. hen so formed the green tiles T are lifted upwardly by a lifting plun, er l1 and then moved or slid forwardly by the carrie11=slide 8 to the trimining-bed 1. On the trimming-bed 1 is sup ported block-trimming cutters C preferably composed of carborundum, which material we have found has such wearing qualities as are required to make the use of cutters under the, working conditions met in this machine economically advantageous, viz, that will make it possible to use the same cutters without sharpening or changing for a relatively long period of time, and is furthermore relatively inexpensive, it being understood that the stoppage of work, which in this case means the stoppage of the press results in an expensive loss or waste of time, and that for this reason it is in'ipractical to use sand paper which would have to be renewed every half hour or even steel cutters which only wear for a relatively few hours, whereas the use of carborundum cutters enable effective work to be done for approttimately a week without renewal. lliese carborundum cutters are preferably arranged in pairs, a pair of such cutters being mount-- ed to contact or engage each corner oi t iii, clay block, as hereinafter more particularly described, and one member of rach pa r being adapted to take from the corner of the block an initial. cut or portion while the other member of the pair is ad 1 d to take 011 a final or finishing cut. Th s arrangement of the cutters enables the lenfl'theninsi oi the time period during which the cutters; may be continuously used without changing or sharpening. 7

In the preferred embodiment shown. the compressed clay blocks or green tile T are, after delivery to the trimming bed, posilli) tively engaged andmoved in arectangular path and during such movement the tile is positively forced into contact with the said cutters C which are located in the said path of movement and which bevel the corners of the green tile blocks T. The roughened corners or mold seams formed at the junction of the top surface with the edges of the green tiles are thus remove-d. The said rectangular movement of the green tile hereinabove referred to comprises an initial or primary end-wise movement of the plurality or series of such tile blocks delivered by the press through a corresponding number of primary independent grooves or channels G preferably in a direction parallel with the delivery movement by the press, and then a secondary movement in a line at right angles to the first movement of the plurality or series of tiles through a single secondary groove G formed at right angles to the channels first mentioned Each of such grooves is provided at opposite sides with means for cutting or bevelling the top corners of the green tile blocks, the side-edges of the series 'being cut or bevelled in the series of grooves G and the end edges of the series of green tile being cut or bevelled by the cutters in a single groove G.

In the embodiment illustrated, four primary grooves or channels G are formed by parallel guide bars B and in order more of fectively to align the tile blocks T without injury thereto, we preferably provide a spring S at one side of each of the grooves for resiliently forcing the tile bloclr toward the opposite guide bar, and we preferably provide holders H for the cutters, each holder bein arran ed to aosition a )air of holders within a groove and the inner holders H being double holders adapted to hold two pairs of cutters, one pair at each side of an interior dividing bar B and to properly position such pair of cutters in the path of the corner of the tile block as the same are moved through the said grooves G.

In the said preferred embodiment illustrated, the tile blocks T are preferably engaged at their edges and forced through the grooves G and into contact with the cutters C which cut the edges of the tile during such positive movement therethrough and, as shown, we have provided edge-engaging fingers F which are supported to travel in a reciprocating movement over the bed 1 and to be raised and lowered intermittently. Two sets of such edge-engaging fingers FF are preferably provided, one set for moving the tile blocks T through the plurality of grooves G in the direction of the delivery movement and the other through the single groove G at right angles thereto. Preferably each of these reciprocating edge engaging fingers are combined with means for automatically lowering the fingers into engagement with the edge of thetile blocks at the start of the movement of the fingers in one direction and retaining such fingers in such lowered position'during the continuance of such movement, and for automatically raising such fingers at the start of the opposite movement and retaining the same in such raised position during the continu ance of such opposite movement.

Our preferred form of actuating mechanism for actuating the first set of edge-em gaging fingers F comprises a pair of slide bars 15 supported in elevated position by brackets 16 having grooves 16 formed in the upper ends thereof, the edge-engaging fingers being mounted at the ends of h0ol; shaped rods 12 which are connected at their rear ends to a horizontally-disposed rock-bar 13 pivoted at opposite ends in bearings 1- 1 on the slide bars 15, the fingers F preferably being balanced on said bar by weights 17. The bars 15 and rock-bar 13 constitute a reciprocable frame for the mounting of the edge-engaging fingers F, and in the pre ferred embodiment shown said frame is reciprocated and the fingers automatically raised by and during a forward movement of the slide through the action of the rods 18 connected to rocking arms 19 projecting to one side. and, as shown, below the pivotal point of the rock-bar 13, the effect being that ill) movement of the rods will first rock the bar 13 to raise or lower the edge-engaging fingers F, depending upon the direction of movement thereof,and will thereafter move the slide frame on which such fingers'are mounted. Thus when the rods 18 are moved outwardly away from the press, the rock-bar 13 is locked to depress the fingers on the bed of the press behind the tile-blocks T and continued movement will thereafter move the finger-mounting slide-frame, of which the rock-bar 13 forms a part, so that the fingers will engage the edges of the tile and positively move the same outwardly through the grooves G and into contact with cutters C arranged, as aforesaid, in pairs on oppo site sides thereof. These cutters C will during such movement cause a bevelling of the opposite side edges of the said tile blocks. After movement through the said grooves G of the said tile blocks T, a movement in the opposite direction of the slide-frame through the action of the rods 18 will first rock the bar 13 to automatically raise the fingers and will thereafter move the slide-frame in the opposite direction, the bar 13 being retained in its rocked position. to hold the fingers F in'elevated position. The raising and lowering movements of the fingers are preferably limited by providing the rock bar 13 with an arm 13 (see Fig. 15) which rocks between abutments 18 and 13 in. a head 18, and the movement of the tile T by the fingers F is limited'by the strip L to cause such tile to in the legs or brackets 2. The slide bar 22 may be reciprocated by any suitable mechanism and the movement thereof, in case of a power-operated press, is preferably synchronized with the mechanism of the press. In the preferred form illustrated, the bar is reciprocatcd and synchronized with the movement of the press mechanism by a connection of such bar with such press mechanism by an arm which, as shown, (see Fig. is connected to the cam 9 of the press.

The preferred form of mechanism for moving the tiles T through the secondary movement thereof embodies a carriage or slide frame movable at right angles to the movement of the first mentioned carriage or slide frame and crossing the path of the latter, preferably in a different hi 'zontal plane. As shown, the secondary slide l'rz une or carriage is reciprocable in tracks or ways 24; below the primary slide-frame or carriage but above the trimi'ning bed a sui'iicient distance to permit the lingers F of the pri mary frame to move the tiles T thereunder. The secondary carriage or slide frame comprises slide bars 25 movable within the grooved tracks 24- and, as shown, four rockbars or axles 26 have their opposite ends mounted in bearings on said bars. These rock-tars each carry a pair of edge-engaging lingers F on lOCS and all of such fingers are sin'iultaneously raised and lowered by the rocking of such rock bars or axles through the movement of a common longitudinallyextending actuating bar 2? connected to such bars or axles 26 by depending arms 28. Movement in one direction of said actuating bar first turns the rock bars 26 to lift the fingers F and further movement of said actuating bar moves the carrier or slide frames with the lingers F held in raised position. A reverse movement of such common actuating bar 2? causes the lingers F, through the connection of such bar with the said rock-bars 2t, to be first lowered into engagelent ith the edges of the tile and continuance of such reverse movement causes theearriage to be then moved in the reverse direction. It is, of course, important to synchronize the movement of this secondary carriage with the prin'iary carriage, and for this purpose the actuating bar is preferably reciprocated from the slide bar 22. As illustrated, the said actuating bar has pivotally connected thereto at its front end a rearwardly-extending arm 29 which is in turn pivotally connected to an arm having a tired connection with a rotatable head 31 pivotally mounted on a stationary vertical post P, which head has in turn an arm 32 pivotally connected through the pivoted rod 22 with the main slide bar 22, the result being that movement of the slide bar rocks the two arms 30 and The swinging end of the arm 30 moves the rearwardly-extending arm 29 whicln as aforesaid, is connected to the actuating bar 21'.

From the above it will. be seen that the moven'irnt of the secondary carriage toward the path of the primary carriage will cause an initial automatic raising and a holding in elevated position of the lingers F, while the start of movement in the opposite direction will automatically lower the lingers l? to engage the side edges of the tiles T and further movement will retain the said lingers F in such lowered. position to positively engage and more the tile through the secondary trimming groove G, the single pair of cutters on each side of which successively trim the opp .=site edges of the series of tiles being handled.

it is desirable, after all four corners of the tiles T have been bevelled as above describeil, that they be examined and stacked by hand in receptacles and for this purpose a onveyor belt is preferably provided, which, in order to carry away the tiles as delivered by the secondary lingers F preferably has its movement synchronized with the .iovement of the mounting slide or carrier for said lingers, and as illustrated a belt B is mounted upon rollers it rotated by a chain 33 and sprockets Set. The belt 13 is intermittently movctl over table T in synchronization with the secondary linger-mounting slide by an arm which is pivotally connected to the rocking arm 30 and which synchronously moves a slide 36 on av stationary slide ha 37 extending parallel with said belt. Said slide 36 is provided with pawl mechanism 36 adapted to engage the belt during tile engaging movement in one direction synchronously with the secondary slide and to click over the links of the chain during the n'ioven'ient in the opposite direction to permit the belt to remain stationary during the reverse imwement of such can rier. Obviously this movement of the bolt will carry away the blocks fast as the same are delivered thereto by the secondary slide and will permit examination of such tile blocks and a stacking thereof by hand or otherwise.

it will be seen that by the use of our invention we have not only enabled tile blocks and the like to be bevelled with greater speed and accuracy than has heretofore been possible by hand but we have, by the move ment of the tilefirst in one direction and then in the direction at right angles thereto, occupied a minimum of space for said mechamsm.

it is also desirable to brush from the surface and edges of the tiles any loose clay that may cling thereto, and in the embodiment shown we have mounted at the rear end oi the machine across the path of the tiles as the same are moved by the conveyor belt a brush having soft bristles engaging the topand bevelled edge surfaces of the tiles.

in Figs. 10 to 13 we have shown our preferred form of double holders H for the carhorundum cutters. These double holders are each adapted to hold two pairs of cutters and to position one pair on each side or a guide bar B. As illustrated, the holder H comprises a Z-shaped body it having two vertical grooves h opening in opposite directions and each adapted to receive a cutterclan'ip composed of a carrier-member if, having a pair of vertical grooves 7L3 li and two cooperating clamp-members ]L5-,7L6 titting within said grooves W it respectively. Between these members /i"h"' and the carrier men'ibers li a pair of cutters C are clau'iped. Vertical adjusting movement is imparted to the cutter-clamp by providing a thumb screw if having a screw-threaded washer is? iitting within a horizontal groove 72," in the carrier member if, the end of the thumb screw it" bearing in a depression it in the body portion it. Obviously when the thumb screw M is rotated the Washer 71 will cause the carrier member k with the cutters clamped thereon to be raised vertirally in the groove it of the body it. Horizontal adjustment is atforded by providing the body portion with vertical slots h and in;-:rrting through such slots thumb screws it which take into tapped holes h in the carrier member k In order to fasten or clamp the cutters to the carrier member If, the members it and it are each provided with screw holes h -Jo respectively into which are litted screws ]L ]L From the above it will be seen that the cutters are ell'ert-ually clamped in position and may be adjusted both vertically and horizontally without removing the cutter holder from the machine.

The operation oi the machine will be apparent from the foregoing description, it being merely necessary to say thatthe clay l'aloclts or tile T immediately upon being moved forwardly by the slide 8 of the press on the trimming bed 1 will be engaged at their rear ends by the lingers F and slid along the trimming bed 1 through the groorcs G until their forward ends engage the liniting stop L, whereupon the fingers i will be raised and moved in the opposite direction and the side edges of the tile blocks will thereupon be engaged by the tingers F and slid en the trin'iming bed 1 at right angles to the said first movement through the groove Ur and on to the upper surface of the conveyor belt B, whereupon the series of tile will be released and the lingers l5" will be moved forwardly. During the sliding movement from the bed 1 on to the belt, said belt is moved a sufiicient distan e to enable the successive series of tiles to be disposed thereon without Waste of space. it will also be understood that during each of such movements the corners formed between the upper surface and two parallel edges are bevelled and that all of these movements are synchronized with the movement or the tile by the press and with each other.

H a ving claim l. A trimming machine for clay blocks, embodying suitable trimming bed, cutters supported upon said bed, and means for suctessiveiy and positively engaging the end and side edges 01 such clay blocks to suecessively move the same endwise and sidewise into engagement with the said cutters.

2. A trimming machine for clay blocks embodying a suitable trimming bed, cutters supported upon said bed to cause engage ment of said cutters with the corners formed by the side and end edges of the clay block upon movement of the latter on said bed and means tor positively engaging and causing movement relatively between such cutters and the clay blocks in a rectangular path.

3 A trimming machine for clay blocks embodying a suitable trimming bed, a series of cutters supported upon said bed, means for causing movement relatively between such cutters and clay blocks in a rectangular path, and means i r mounting said cutters to cause a plurality of the same to engage each of the corners of the clay blocks formed by the intersection oi the top surface with the side and end edges respectively.

4i. A trimming machine for clay blocks embodying a suitable trimming bed, a series of cutters supported upon said bed, means for iausing movement relatively between such cutters and clay blocks in a rectangular path, and means for successively engaging the side and end edges of the clay blocks and positively moving the corners formed s y the intersection oi the top surface with described our invention, We

t :ide and end edges oi such blocks respectivel into en a ement with the said cut- J o a:

ters

A trimming machine or clay bloclrs embodying a suitable trimming bed, a series of cutters'supported upon said bed, means for successively engaging the end and side edges of such blocks to move the same in ti l lit)

a rectangular path and means for mounting such cutters along such path to cause engagement of a plurality of such cutters with each of the corners of the clay block formed by the intersection of the top surface with the side and end edges thereof.

(5. The combination with a press, of a trimming machine or clay blocks embodyng a suitable trimming bed, cutters supoorted upon said bed, means for moving he clay blocks into the path of such cutters 0 cause the same to engage the corners of the clay blocks at opposite edges thereof to bevel the same, and means for synchronizing the movement of the block-moving means with the movement or the press mechanism.

7. The combination with a press, of a trimming machine for clay blocks embodying a suitable trimming bed, cutters supported upon said bed, means for moving the clay blocks in two directions at substantially right angles to each other and having contact with said cutters during each movement, and means for synchronizing the two movements of the block-moving means with the movement of the press mechanisn'i.

8. In a trimming machine for clay blocks, the combination with a ti" nmingbed having a guide groove disposed in a predetermined line, another guide groove disposed at a right angle thereto, cutters arranged at the oppozite sides of each oil such guide grooves and means for moving clay blocks t rough such guide grooves into contact with the cutters.

9. In a trimming machine for clay blocks, the combination with a trimming-bed having a guide groove disposed in a predetermined line, another guide groove disposed at a right angle thereto, cutters arranged at the opposite sides of each of such guide grooves and r 3311s for positively engaging the end and side edges respectively of said clay blocks to move the same successively through saii'l cjnidc grooves and into contact with the cutters located therein.

10. In a trinnning machine for clay decks. the combination with a trimminghaving a guide groove disposed in a edetermined line, another guide groove disposed at a right angle thereto, cutters arran ed in pairs at the opposite sides of: each of such guide grooves and means for positively engaging the end and side edges pectively of said clay blocks to move the same successively through said guic grooves and into contact wi h the cutters located therein.

ll. In a trimming machine for clay blocks, the combination with a trimming bed having a plurality of? guide grooves disposed in a predetermined line, a single guide groove disposed at a right angle thereto,

cutters arranged at the opposite sides of each o'l such guide grooves and means for moving clay blocks through such guide grooves into contact with the cutters.

in a trimming machine for clay blocks, the combination with a trimming bed having a plurality of guide grooves disposed in a predetern'iined line, a single guide groove disposed at a right angle thereto, cutters arranged at the opposite sides o'l each of such guide grooves and means for positively en aqing the end and side edges respectively of said clay blocks to move the same suc cessively through said guide grooves and into contact with the cutters located therein.

13. In a trimmingmachine for clay blocks,

the coi'nhination with a trimming bed havm guide groove disposed 111 a predeter- O lllllltlil line, another guide groove disposed at a right angle thereto, two pairs of cutters arranged at the opposite sides or' each of such guide grooves ant. means for moving clay blocks through such guide grooves into contact with said cutters.

1 1-. In a trimming machine for clay blocks, the combination with a trimming bed having a guide groove disposed in a predetermined line, another guide groove disposed at a right angle thereto, two pairs of cutters arranged at the opposite sides or each oi such guid grooves and fingers movable parallel to each of said grooves to engage the edges ot the clay blocks and to positively move the same through such grooves into engagement with the cutters.

15. The combination with a power press of a trimming machine for clay blocks, embodying a trimming bed having a guide groove soosed in a predetermined line, another guide groove disposed at a right angle thereto, cutters arranged at the opposite sides of each of such guide grooves and lingers movable parallel to each of said grooves to engage the edges of the clay blocks to positively move the same through such guide grooves into engagement with the cutters, and means for imparting to said fingers a movement synchronized with the movement oi the press mechanism.

16. A trimming machine for clay blocks embodying, in combination, a trimn'iing bed having a plurality of pa 'allel 'uide grooves disposed in a predetermined direction, a single guide groove disposed at an angle thereto, cutters arranged at the opposite sides of each of such guide grooves, two sets of edge-engaging fingers, the first set being movable in alignment with said plurality oi parallel grooves and the other set being movable in alignment with the oth r angular groove to intersect the path of the first set oi fingers, and means for imparting movement to both sets of lingers to cause the same successively to engage and move blocks through said angularly-disposed grooves and into contact with the cutters therein.

17. The combination with a power press of a trimming machine for clay blocks, embodying a trmm'iing bed having a plurality of parallel guide grooves disposed in a predetermined direction, a single guide groove disposed at an angle thereto, cutters arranged "at the opposite sides or each or "such guide grooves, two sets of edge-engaging lingers, the first set being movable in alignment with said plurality or parallel grooves and the other set being movable in "alignment with the other angular groove to intersect the path of the first set 01 finger-s and means for imparting to said two sets of lingers reciprocating movements synchronized with the movement ol the press and with each other to cause the blocks to be enga ed upon delivery by the press and moved successively through said angularlydisposed grooves and into contact with the cutters therein.

18. A trimming machine for clay blocks embodying, in combination, a trimming bed having aplurality or grooves formed on "said bed, a pair of cutters arranged at each of the opposite sides of each 01" such guidegrooves and fingers movable 1n alignment 'with said grooves for positively moving the clay blocks through such grooves into engagement with said pairs of cutters to take ell initial and final cuts respectively from the said blocks.

19. The combination with a power press of a trimming machine for clay blocks, embodying a trimming bed having a plurality of grooves termed on said bed, a pair of cutters arranged at each of theopposite sides of each of such guide grooves, fingers movable in alignment with said grooves for positively moving the clay blocks through such grooves into engagement with said pairs ofCutters to bevel the same, and means for synchronizing the movement of said fingers with the movement of the press mechanism.

20. The con'ibination with a power press of a trimming machine for clay blocks, em-

bodying a trimming bed having a plurality of grooves formed on said bed, cutters at opposite sides of such guide grooves, fingers movable in alignment with 'said grooves for positively moving the clay blocks through such grooves into engagement with such cutters to bevel the same, and means connected with the mechanism of the press for reciprocating such lingers in synchronization with the movement 01 the plunger and block-delivery mechanism of the press.

21. The combination with a power press of a trin'im'ing machine lor'clay blocks, embodying a trimming bed having a plurality of grooves formed on said bed, cutters at opposite sides of such guide grooves, fingers movable in alignment with said grooves for positively moving the clay bloc-ks through such grooves into engagement with such cutters, means connected with the mechanism of the press for reciprocating such lingers in synchronization with the movement of the plunger and blocledelivery mechanism -of the press, and means for automatically'raising such lingers at the beginning of one leg of the reciprocating movement and lowering such lingers at the beginning olf'movement in the opposite direction.

22. The combination with a power press of a trimming machine for clay blocks,'embodying a trimming bed having a guide groove disposed in a predetermined line, another guide groove disposed at a right angle thereto, cutters arranged at the opposite sides of each of such guide grooves and fingers movable parallel to each of such grooves to engage the edges of the clay blocks to positively move the samethrough such guide grooves into engagement with the cutters, means for imparting to said fingers a movement synchronized with the movement of the press mechanism, and means for automatically raising and lowering such fingers during movement in opposite directions.

23. The combination with a power press of atrimming machine'i'or clay blocks, embodying a trimming bed having a plurality oi. parallel guide groooves disposed in a predetermined direction, a single guide groove disposed at an angle thereto, cutters ar ranged at the opposite sides of each o'fsuch guide grooves, two sets of edge-engaging fingers, the first set being movable in alignment with said plurality of parallel grooves and the other set being movable in alignment with the other angular groove to in tersect the path of the first set of fingers, means for imparting to said two setsof fingers reciprocating movements syncltronized with the movement of the press and with each other to cause the blocks to be engaged upon delivery by the press and moved successively through said angularly-disposed grooves and into contact with the cutters therein, and means for automatically raising and lowering such fingers during movement in opposite directions.

24. The combination with a power press of a trimming machine for clay blocks, embodying a trimming bed having a plurality of grooves formed on said bed, opposite sides of such guide grooves, fingers movable in alignment with said grooves for positively moving the clay blocks through such grooves into engagement -with such cutters, ofthe press for reciprocating such fingers in synchronization with the movement or the plunger and block-delivery mechanism of the cutters at Hit) press, means for automatically raising such lingers at the beginning of one leg of the reciprocating movement and lowering such fingers at the beginning of movement in the opposite direction, and a conveyor belt ar ranged adjacent to said trimming bed and having its movement synchronized with the movement of the said lingers.

25. A trimming machine for clay blocks embodying a suitable trimming bed, cutters composed of a material having substantially the characteristics of carborundum supported on said bed, means for causing relative movement between such cutters and clay blocks, and holders for holding such cutters to cause the same to engage the corners of the clay blocks at opposite edges thereof, said holders being provided with means for adjusting the cutters vertically and horizontally.

26. A trimming machine for clay blocks embodying a suitable trimming bed having guide grooves formed thereon, cutters sup ported on said trimming bed and composed of a material having substantially the characteristics of caiborundinn, means for causing relative movement between such cutters and clay blocks, and a holder disposed to carry two pairs of cutters and to position the same on opposite sides of the wall of a groove, said holder being provided with means for adjusting the cutters vertically and horizontally.

27. The method of finisl'iing clay blocks consisting in moving a clay block endwise, trimming the side edges during such endwise movement, then moving said block sidewise in a path at substantially a right angle to the path of endwise movement and trim ming the end edges during such sidewise movement.

28. The method of finishing clay blocks consisting in pressing a plurality of clay blocks in a press, moving said blocks endwise, trimming the side edges during such endwise movement, then moving such clay blocks sidewise in a path at substantially a right angle to the path of endwise movement and trimming the end edges during such sidewise movement.

29. The method of finishing clay blocks consisting in pressing a plurality of clay blocks in a press, moving said blocks endwise together in parallel paths. trimmin the side edges during such endwise movement, then moving all such clav blocks sidewise successively in a single path at substantially a right angle to the path of endwise movement and trimming the end edges during such sidewise movement.

30. The method of finishing clay blocks consisting in moving the clay blocks endwise, taking initial and final cuts from the upper longitudinal side edges during such endwise movement, then moving the clay blocks sidewise in a path at substantially a right angle to the path of endwise movement and taking initial and final cuts from the upper end edges of said block during such sidewise movement.

31. The method Ojii linishing clay blocks consisting in pressing a plurality of clay blocks in a press, moving the said blocks endwise, taking initial and final cuts from the upper longitudinal side edges during such endwise movement, then moving the clay locks sidewise in a path at substantially a right angle to the path of endwise movement and taking initial and final cuts from the upper end edges of said block during such sidewise movement.

32. The method of finishing clay blocks consisting in pressing a plurality of clay blocks in a press, moving the said blocks endwise together in parallel paths, taking initial and final cuts from the upper longitudinal side edges during such endwise movement, then moving all the clay blocks sidewise successively in a single path at substantially a right angle to the path of endwise movement and taking initial and final cuts from the upper end edges of said block during such sidewise movement.

33. The method of finishing clay bloclrs consisting in moving the clay blocks endwise, bevelling the corners at the side edges during such endwise movement, then moving the clay blocks sidewise in a path at substan tially a right angle to the path of endwise movement and bevelling the corners at the end edges during such sidewise movement.

34. The method of finishing clay blocks consisting in pressing a plurality 01" clay blocks in a press, moving the said blocks endwise, bevelling the corners at the side edges during such endwise movement, then moving the clay blocks sidewise in a path at substantially a right angle to the path of end wise novement and bevelling the corners at the end edges during such sidewise move ment.

35. The method of finishing clay blocks consisting in pressing a plurality of clay bloc s in apress, moving the said blocks endwise together in parallel paths, bevelling the corners at the side edges during such endwise movement, then moving all the clay blocks sidewise successively in a single path at substantially a right angle to the path of endwise movement and l'ievelling the corners at the end edges during such sidewise movement.

In witness whereof, we have signed our names to the foregoing specificatien.

RUSSELL P. HER-BOLD. THOMAS V. H. MOORHEAD. 

